Yoga DVDs

DVD Movies and instructional yoga programs.

Comprehensive but user-friendly, reasonably challenging but accessible to a variety of levels, Yoga Shakti is inarguably one of the best yoga products on the market--no small achievement when one considers just how many of them there are. Instructor-creator Shiva Rea, a California-based yogi of considerable international renown, specializes in vinyasa yoga (a vinyasa is essentially a series of flowing, connected poses, incorporating breath and movement and cultivating heat, strength, flexibility, and balance). Four complete practices are presented, ranging in length from 42 to 85 minutes and including Basic Flow (for beginners), two more vigorous Solar Flow sequences, and a Lunar Flow sequence falling somewhere in the middle in terms of degree of difficulty; familiar poses like sun salutations, forward bends, lunges, twists, and inversions are featured, although Rea adds many of her own touches (such as the four "dancing warrior" sections, sun salutation variations designed for intermediate users and focusing on hips, backbends, and so on), and there are also sections devoted to pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. It's all good, but the principal innovation of Yoga Shakti is the "yoga matrix," which allows users to customize and program their own workouts, drawing on portions of any or all of the four sequences to create series of various lengths and levels of intricacy (some guidelines are suggested for the less experienced) and thus keep their practices fresh and evolving. One can also do the various workouts with or without the instruction audio track on (the Indian-New Age-flavored music is quite good, and usually unobtrusive), and there's even an entire second disc, containing interviews, additional instruction, travel footage (filming took place primarily in India and the Maldive Islands), and more. All in all, Yoga Shakti is most impressive. --Sam Graham

The best thing about this prenatal yoga tape is that there is a model for each trimester. Instructor Shiva Rea demonstrates each of the stretches and exercises for the first trimester, and two pregnant women show modifications for the second and third trimesters (they're even dressed in different colors for easy reference). This removes the self-doubt home-exercisers often have about the safety of certain moves--especially in that cumbersome final stage of pregnancy. Using gentle voice-over instruction, Shea and her assistants take viewers through a half hour of meditational stretches using blocks and chairs for support. She follows that up with 16 minutes of floor work: lunge pose, bridge pose, child's pose, plank pose--all with the necessary adjustments. She winds things up with a four-minute guided relaxation on her back--the traditional position--with the second-trimester woman on her side and the third on her side with one leg up on a chair. By including the different adaptations, Shea has made a tape with the flexibility to carry an expectant mom through her entire pregnancy--and beyond, if she wishes. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Yoga for plus-sized women? Why not, especially when it's presented clearly, simply, and utterly without condescension, which is the case with Just My Size Yoga. Instructor Megan Garcia, a large woman herself, knows that self-consciousness and limitations due to shape and size keep many would-be yoga practitioners from attending actual classes; hence this 45-minute program designed to introduce new students to yoga's many benefits. Garcia promises that a regular yoga practice will promote not only physical well-being (including energy and flexibility) but also confidence, calm, and what she calls "an inner sense of self"--ambitious goals, to be sure, but also attainable ones. The practice consists of three parts. The warm-up focuses on the breath, along with arm lifts, spinal twists, and such; the "workout" section includes some reasonably demanding poses like Warrior 1 and 2 and downward-facing dog (after demonstrating each pose separately, Garcia repeats them as one continuous, flowing sequence), and "deep relaxation" consists of savasana, the so-called "corpse pose." Other elements of Just My Size Yoga include a "special tips" section (with suggestions about using a wall, chairs, or other props to modify the poses) and an interview with Garcia. All in all, this is a gentle, easy, yet effective introduction to yoga. --Sam Graham

"You don't need to be thin, young, and a contortionist to do this program," says instructor Peggy Cappy. Yoga for the Rest of Us is a yoga practice for people who might be inflexible, out of shape, or feeling aches and pains. Cappy presents three 20-minute routines that work separately or together. Part 1 is a series of warm-up seated stretches. Part 2 presents standing poses, holding a chair if needed. Part 3 is a flowing series of Sun Salutations, building stamina, and again using a chair if necessary, followed by relaxation. Public television yoga instructor Cappy teaches gently and quietly, accompanied by demonstrators of various ages and conditions. Recommended for people who thought that yoga was beyond them because of age, medical conditions, or fitness level, especially those with functional challenges, such as not being able to bend down or reach for a top shelf. --Joan Price

Yoga isn't just for people who are already supple--it's a way to become more flexible. Yoga for Inflexible People presents modifications and props to make traditional poses accessible to people who could not otherwise perform them comfortably or correctly. You get more than 35 workouts and about four hours of instruction and practice in all. Choose a general workout, focus on an area of the body (shoulders, legs, hips, and back), or select a peaceful or energizing workout. Within each category, you have a choice of several different 15- to 75-minute series (some seated), much more variety than most videos offer. Some of the poses are beginning level; others are not. Leader Judi Rice demonstrates well, instructing by voice-over, though her expressionless face lacks warmth and personality. You'll need a yoga mat, blocks (or large books), a long strap or belt, a chair, and blankets. --Joan Price

Instructor Peggy Cappy's More Yoga for the Rest of Us takes up where the first volume (released in 2002) left off, with a gentle, easy-to-follow series of yoga poses recommended for novices, those who are older and less active, or anyone dealing with injuries or recovering from illness. Unlike so many yoga video programs, which emphasize the athletic aspects of the practice (certainly a part of yoga, but hardly the most important part) and feature beautiful young people with perfect bodies, Cappy takes a "do what you can do" approach, stressing yoga's noncompetitive side and suggesting simply that the more often you try it, the better you're likely to feel; there's no New Age music, no exotic locations or groovy outfits, and the students who demonstrate the poses with her include a couple of senior citizens. The practice itself consists of a series of floor poses (including hamstring and hip openers, twists, and the bridge, a mild backbend), followed by standing stretches, forward bends, the crucial downward-facing dog asana, a couple of reasonably challenging balancing poses like eagle and dancer's, and a lengthy final relaxation. Cappy's instruction is good (although she falls a bit short when it comes to explaining specifically how to use the breath), multiple variations are demonstrated (including many using a chair, which makes them considerably easier), and many poses are repeated. The 20-minute infomercial at the end is basically extraneous, as the virtues of More Yoga for the Rest of Us speak for themselves. --Sam Graham

Power yoga "demands your attention," says instructor Rodney Yee. He leads a challenging, constantly progressing series of poses, one flowing into the next, integrating breath, movement, tension, and relaxation. The poses include Sun Salutation, standing poses, forward bends, back bends, twists, and arm balances. The first poses are fairly easy, and with each repetition of the series, Yee adds on more difficult movements, extending the series without pausing. You're encouraged to do as much of the series that fits your level, up to the entire 65-minute workout if you're an experienced yoga practitioner. Although you can begin at any level, some familiarity with yoga is recommended. The Hawaiian setting is gorgeous and inspiring. This is an excellent yoga workout that you can grow with, adding on more as you get stronger. --Joan Price

A workout that balances both the body and the mind can be found in the Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies. Fundamental postures are explained and demonstrated slowly with an emphasis on breathing and motion. Sara Ivanhoe teaches 12 basic poses that are termed the "daily dozen" and offers challenges and modifications to each of these moves. Ivanhoe presents these concepts in an approachable and calming manner that adds to the overall relaxed feeling that this session exudes. Newcomers to the practice of yoga will learn jargon, essential postures, and focusing techniques. Experienced participants may find some information redundant, but Ivanhoe offers such thorough explanations about each posture that you can't help but expand your existing knowledge of yoga. As the mountain pose, standing forward bend, and downward facing dog are explained (not to mention the nine other poses within the "daily dozen"), proper body alignment becomes the focus. Meticulous attention is given to the connection between breathing and body movement with several reminders to keep the spine in "neutral alignment." This session ranks great for safety and content and makes yoga accessible to anyone who "always wanted to, but never did." This is a substantial program that can introduce the basics and build your understanding of yoga. --Olivia Voigts

This well-designed program combines fast-paced yoga moves for fat-burning, hatha yoga poses for strength and flexibility, and stability ball exercises for core conditioning in three segments that can be done in one 60-minute session, or separately. Segment 1 builds patterns based on strong yoga poses such as the Warrior and Balancing Stick, adding lifts and lunges at a fast pace so that you're breathing faster and working the muscles simultaneously. Segment 2 is strength training by holding poses. Segment 3 focuses on core strength with a stability ball. Some familiarity with yoga is helpful--Austin doesn't give much instruction about breathing or the fine points of the poses--but not required. Although Austin talks nonstop, as always, her voice is quieter than usual and more fitting for this workout. (The repetitive, rhythmic music, however, is distracting rather than supportive.) Recommended for intermediate exercisers because no modifications are shown, and many of the poses are challenging. --Joan Price

Clean white sand and a cool predawn sky are the backdrops for this stunningly produced video, complete with an upbeat New Age soundtrack. Don't be put off by the MTV-like camera work, as this video constitutes an excellent, well-balanced workout. Ali MacGraw and a supporting cast of something-for-everyone models work through this 50-minute routine, overseen by yoga master Erich Schiffman. The first minutes focus on ujjayi breathing, then MacGraw leads us through a complete practice of shoulder stretches, sun salutations, back bends and twists, and standing poses. No equipment is required, but a sticky mat is recommended. Unlike other videos targeted for beginners, Yoga Mind & Body does not offer modifications for difficult poses and so is best suited for practitioners with some previous experience. --Jhana Bach

Title notwithstanding, Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss isn't likely to promote weight loss any more than lots of other videos will. But that's not a knock--it merely reflects the fact that anyone who practices yoga regularly and conscientiously can both shave off some extra pounds and significantly reshape his or her body. With four different instructors simultaneously demonstrating a single program, each providing different modifications of the same poses, Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss delivers a thorough, well-organized practice that can be undertaken by users at all levels of experience, fitness, and flexibility. After a gradual warm-up sequence, Suzanne Deason and her fellow instructors lead you through a series of standing asanas, back and forward bends, twists, and so on, with the proper technique and function of each pose explained clearly and concisely. The result is a workout that's challenging but not overwhelming and that should stand up to plenty of repeated use. All in all, another good offering from Living Arts. --Kelly Welldon

Yoga for a Strong and Healthy Back presents the fundamentals of posturing and breathing in this approachable 40-minute workout that includes two 20-minute sessions focusing on spinal rotation and muscular strength. The back is central to supporting all movements; conventional workouts often do not include exercises that strengthen the lower back. Yoga Zone gives excellent instruction here, and participants are taught poses that utilize both the lower and upper back. The warrior pose and forward bends are just a few of the postures performed here that can improve spinal flexibility and help to avoid future back injuries. Beginners should find the first set easy to follow (the postures within this section are modified versions of what is yet to come). The second set incorporates some back bends and deeper poses that require greater agility and strength. Despite the increased difficulty here, participants of all levels can improve their flexibility without being overwhelmed by impossible poses. Filmed in Jamaica, the content in this progressive workout is surpassed only by the white-sand beaches in the background. This regimen includes great information, cuing, and scenery--not to mention how relaxed you can feel after an intensive yoga experience like this. --Olivia Voigts

The name may suggest a bedtime yoga routine, but these deep stretches and restorative postures are also appropriate in conjunction with a cardio or strength training workout--or as a stress buster at any time of day. Instructor Sara Ivanhoe has a soothing, encouraging manner, but dispenses with the pseudo-spiritualism of some programs (as opposed to the real Eastern philosophy espoused in more serious efforts). She takes the time to explain the essential yogic breathing and each posture is clearly demonstrated--including modifications. After seated stretches, she teaches a series of kneeling cat poses, launches into down dog, and a standing twist. For balance: tree pose, then lunges, forward bends, and a butterfly stretch. This 43-minute practice isn't particularly advanced or strenuous, so beginners will be fine. Also included is a 16-minute "wake-up" routine, intended specifically for energizing in the morning with a standing cat stretch, pyramid pose and a squat. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Whether you're a beginning, intermediate, or advanced student of yoga, and whether you have 15 minutes or two hours for your yoga practice, you'll find a power yoga routine that fits your level and your schedule in Power Yoga for Every Body. Instructor Barbara Benagh instructs by voice-over while Jason Gordon demonstrates 24 routines of the "Slow Flow" method of vinyasa yoga: one pose flowing into the next. Benagh instructs this slow practice with careful attention to the details of breathing, movement, alignment, and transition. "Yoga is so much more than a workout--it cultivates your mind, it calms your nerves, it develops an internal awareness," says Benagh. To start out, watch the 15-minute interview with Benagh explaining the benefits of yoga, the Slow Flow technique, how to progress, and tips for incorporating yoga into a busy life. --Joan Price

Instruction is slow and detailed enough for beginners to learn the poses. Instructor Barbara Benagh, an avid road cyclist and an advanced yoga practitioner with more than 25 years of teaching experience, uses voice-over to explain carefully how to do each pose. Jason Gordon, an advanced practitioner, demonstrates the poses clearly. --Joan Price

Fitness guru Kathy Smith leads a gentle introduction to yoga, with plenty of adaptations for special needs. She starts with very simple postures for body awareness, proper breathing, and relaxation. Smith explains how to do each pose correctly, how to use your breath, how to modify if necessary, where to focus your concentration, how the body should be aligned, and what parts are working. Her instructions are clear and explicit. Modifications are offered for both more and less flexible exercisers, letting you adapt the yoga practice to your own level. Some of the poses seem like traditional stretches you're already used to, and Smith makes the transition to the more challenging poses easy to follow. If you've been intrigued by yoga, but are intimidated by the poses you've seen among experienced yoga practitioners, this is a terrific starting place. (Floor poses: 22 minutes; standing poses: 22 minutes; guided relaxation: 10 minutes.) --Joan Price

Some people take up yoga to build strength and flexibility; others are primarily looking to reduce stress and tension. This 55-minute program, while purporting to address both groups, is actually much more appropriate for the latter. Yoga Zone founder Alan Finger does an excellent job not merely emphasizing the importance of the breath--the single most vital element of any yoga practice--but also explaining yoga breathing techniques, followed by a series of easy stretches (for the neck, shoulders, arms, and such) and a variety of standing, sitting, and lying poses beneficial to yogis of all levels. The pace is gentle, the sequence of poses logical, the instruction clear and constant; beginners will be challenged but not intimidated, while more advanced types might find it a welcome alternative to sweaty, aerobic yoga workouts. --Sam Graham